Parent engagement is a key component to ensuring college readiness for our students. To help determine specific needs and desires of our community. GEAR UP Birmingham (GUB) developed a student and parent ambassador program. These ambassadors not only help facilitate and strengthen the relationship between the GUB staff and families, but also aid in volunteering at events and activities throughout the year. Below are the parent ambassador responsibilities:

To enhance communication between parents and families and GEAR UP Birmingham

To provide a positive GEAR UP experiences for parents and families of GEAR UP Birmingham students.

To assist in disseminating information to parents and families at various GEAR UP events, as well as Birmingham City School’s events.

To encourage involvement and participation from parents and families that reflect GEAR UP Birmingham’s diverse student population.

Parent Ambassador
My responsibilities as an ambassador: My duties are based on the relationship between GEAR UP Birmingham and the Birmingham City Schools. I have a long-standing alliance and partnership with GEAR UP, and as an active ambassador I participate in many social and cultural events.Why I decided to become a parent ambassador: To ensure my son’s school success, I wanted to be actively involved in his education.A short fun fact about myself:I love to take photographs!

Kobie Jennings

School: Ramsay High SchoolGrade: 10thMy responsibilities as an ambassador:I am a student ambassador that makes a commitment to the mission of GEAR UP Birmingham.Why I decided to become a student ambassador: So, I can let my peers know of all the wonderful opportunities that is out there for us.A short fun fact about myself: I like to meet new people.

Keona Oliver

Parent Ambassador
My responsibilities as an ambassador: As an ambassador I represent the parent view of GEAR UP. I am the voice so parents can hear first-hand to the opportunities.Why I decided to become a parent ambassador: I wanted to let everyone know about the wonderful opportunities GEAR UP offers and has personally offered me.A short fun fact about myself: I can’t dance,but I will get on the floor and jam like no one is watching.

Kenedy Johnson

School: Jackson-Olin High SchoolGrade: 9thMy responsibilities as an ambassador:I represent GEAR UP in school. I participate with fellow peers to implement more ideas so that we can broaden our future.Why I decided to become a student ambassador: I want to tell my friends about the program. I took advantage of the camps, ACT prep and math tutoring.A short fun fact about myself: I’m very silly. I love to make jokes.

Lindsey Arrington-Williams

Parent Ambassador
My responsibilities as an ambassador: As an ambassador I try to encourage other parents and students throughout Birmingham City Schools System to take part in GEAR UP events and activities.Why I decided to become a parent ambassador: I became an ambassador because I’ve seen how great this program is first-hand. Not only is my daughter excited to go to college, but she is already preparing as a freshmen. GEAR UP gives her the tools to make college a reality.A short fun fact about myself: I like NASCAR.

Shelbe Arrington

School: Ramsay High SchoolGrade: 9thMy responsibilities as an ambassador:I believe that my responsibilities as a student ambassador is to lead when no one is looking, to enrich people with the knowledge GEAR UP, and share my experience of GEAR UP.Why I decided to become a student ambassador: The reason why I chose to become a student ambassador is to help me widen my horizon on how to be a better leader and to improve my outlook on the world.A short fun fact about myself: I am very inquisitive and I enjoy history.

Herman J. Lumzy, Jr

Parent Ambassador
My responsibilities as an ambassador: My responsibilities as an ambassador include informing other parents within the GEAR UP cohort of the available resources for themselves, opportunities for their children, to be a sounding board for other parents and to be a cheerleader for not just GEAR UP Birmingham but Birmingham City Schools District.Why I decided to become a parent ambassador: As a parent, I see the absolute value of what GEAR UP Birmingham means to my daughter. I want to be able to convince other parents and BCS collaborators of how important this program is to our children and the families involved. GEAR UP Birmingham has the ability to impact the entire community.A short fun fact about myself: GOD, Family, ‘Bama State – Until I Die….I think that about says it all!

Kamil Goodman

School: A.H. Parker High SchoolGrade: 10thMy responsibilities as an ambassador: My responsibilities are to try and get other students involved and exposed to the GEAR UP program, to represent GEAR UP Birmingham at different programs and functions and to be a good representative of GEAR UP Birmingham and Birmingham City Schools.Why I decided to become a student ambassador: I decided to become a student ambassador because GEAR UP has exposed me to things I haven’t seen before and want to continue being a GEAR UP student until I graduate high school.A short fun fact about myself: I am a well-rounded person involved as a Bisonette in Parker’s band and I play basketball and soccer.

Tamika Jenkins Bolton

Parent Ambassador
My responsibilities as an ambassador: I promote GEAR UP and inform eligible students and parents of it’s benefits.Why I decided to become a parent ambassador: I believe in and support GEAR UP’s mission of instilling a college going culture.A short fun fact about myself: My dream career would be a storm chaser or a wedding/party planner.

Sydney Bolton

School: Huffman High SchoolGrade: 10thMy responsibilities as an ambassador:My responsibilities as a GEAR UP ambassador are to promote GEAR UP to all parents, students and all possible participants and to uphold GEAR UP’s expectations and to continually be active in the GEAR UP program.Why I decided to become a student ambassador: I decided to become a student ambassador because I am aware of all the opportunities that GEAR UP provides for current 9th and 10th graders in Birmingham City Schools. I believe that I am worthy and have the ability to continually endorse the Birmingham GEAR UP program.A short fun fact about myself: I enjoy traveling.